by Abi Braceros | Apr 24, 2023 | Artists 2023
Phil Benoit is from Southern California and moved to Hawaii in the late 1970s. He started playing the clarinet at a young age and picked up the guitar as a teenager. A self-taught guitarist, he has been performing professionally for more than two decades. Angela Benoit was born and raised in Paia. She has been singing all of her life and has been performing professionally for more than 20 years. Together they head up the Maui-based jazz group “Benoit Jazzworks” and play their original music, jazz standards, bossa nova, pop, and Hawaiian swing. Angela’s vocals are smooth and rest somewhere between high alto and low mezzo-soprano while Phil provides a swinging guitar.
by Abi Braceros | Apr 24, 2023 | Artists 2023
Multi-instrumentalist Mark Johnstone is best known for his keyboard work with the Grammy- nominated Mick Fleetwood Blues Band and The Island Rumors Band. He can also be found in a variety of settings as a soloist or sideman, displaying skills on keys, guitar, harmonica and vocals. While working and touring with Mick Fleetwood he shared the stage with many accomplished artists such as Carlos Santana, Willie Nelson, John Mayall, Michael MacDonald, Alice Cooper, Steven Tyler, Dave Mason, Pat Simmons, Sammy Hagar and many more.
by Abi Braceros | Apr 24, 2023 | Artists 2023
John Zangrando or “Johnny Z.” came to Maui in 1980 from New York and has been one of the busiest sax players on the island since. He has played or recorded with George Benson, John Mayall, Michael McDonald, Dionne Warwick, and Gladys Knight. He has also played with Dr. Lonnie Smith, Danny Gottlieb and Mark Egan of Elements and was musical director for singer Jon Hendricks for his Hawaii tour. Johnny Z plays tenor, alto, soprano, baritone and bass saxophones, as well as flute, piccolo, bass clarinet and electronic wind instrument (EWI).
by Abi Braceros | Apr 24, 2023 | Artists 2023
Doug White came to Maui from Minnesota for a one week vacation and 39 years later is still on the island, performing with his bass at various venues. Throughout the years, he has played with many musicians performing music from jazz to Hawaiian to rock ‘n roll and blues.
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by Abi Braceros | Apr 14, 2023 | Artists 2023
Described by Chicago Jazz Magazine as “…one of the most brilliant and imaginative contemporary composers of mainsteam jazz…stimulating and emotive original music with a rare blend of sophistication and organic spontaneity”, Porter’s music has also been described as “fluid, expressive, and magnificent” by Down Beat Magazine.
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